South Africa finished the 2024 U18 International Series with a convincing five try 39-14 against England U18.
SA U18 made a solid start to the match, setting up camp in England's 22m, however, only after eight minutes of play, SA U18 flyhalf Vusi Moyo converted a penalty to open the scoring for SAU18.
Eight minutes later, SA U18 spread the ball wide from a dominant scrum, creating space with great passing for winger Khutadzo Rashivhaga to stroll over for SA 18's first try of the match to extend their lead to 10-00.
However, England struck back immediately when scrumhalf George Newman sniped down the side of a loose scrum to beat several "defenders" to score the first try for the visitors.
SA U18 were the dominant side, and with five minutes to play in the first half, Reuben Kruger bulldozed his way over England's tryline to extend SA U18's lead to 17-07.
After three minutes of play in the second half, SA U18 opened the scoring via a converted penalty by Vusi Moyo to extend SA U18's lead to 20-07.
Following a dull period of ten minutes, Akha Boqwana put a brilliant grubber down the touchline, which Cheswill Jooste controlled brilliantly to score in the corner and extend SA U18's lead to 25-07.
England U18 replied immediately with a try when captain Connor Treacey scored off a five-meter penalty to reduce the SA U18 lead to 25-14.
SA U18 attacked from the kick-off, with Cheswill Jooste going over in the corner following brilliant handling by several U18 players. Elgernon Meyer put the final nail in the coffin of England U18 to secure a 39-14 win for SA U18.
Scorers:
South Africa U18: Tries: Khutadzo Rashivhaga, Reuben Kruger, Cheswill Jooste (2), Elgernon Meyer. Conversions: Vusi Moyo (2), Yaqeen Ahmed (2). Penalties: Vusi Moyo (2).
England U18: Tries: George Newman, Connor Treacey. Conversions: James Linegar (2).
Teams:
SA U18: 15 Akha Boqwana, 14 Khutadzo Rashivhaga, 13 Ethan Adams, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Cheswill Jooste, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Adeeb Boraine, 8 Reuben Kruger, 7 Josh Neill, 6 Torren February, 5 Riley Norton, 4 AJ Meyer, 3 Aidan Botha, 2 Sethu Mnebelele (c), 1 Phiwayinkosi Kubheka. Replacements: 16 Mahle Sithole, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Luqobo Makadweni, 19 JD Hattingh, 20 Alutha Wesi, 21 Elgernon Meyer, 22 Yaqeen Ahmed, 23 Pieter van der Merwe, 24 Joshua Mackenzie, 25 Markus Muller, 26 Zekethelo Siyaya.
England U18: 15. Sam Winters, 14. Noah Caluori, 13. Victor Worsnip, 12. Felix Champain, 11. Fraser Rawlins, 10. James Linegar, 9. George Newman, 8. Connor Treacey (c), 7. Jack Marshall, 6. Aiden Ainsworth-Cave, 5. Jonno Balding, 4. Elliot Williams, 3. Tom Dye, 2. Tom Davis, 1. Elvis Kitenge-Fuki. Replacements: 16. Oscar Thomas, 17. Diamond Ayiehfor, 18. Ben Beere, 19. Jack Murphy, 20. Ollie Hull, 21. Matthew Branch-Holland, 22. Finn Keylock, 23. Cameron Ward, 24. Julian Nunn, 25. Ben Morrow, 26. Asa Stewart-Harris.
